Topic 1: Conservative Domination (1951-1964) Flashcards
What were the main reasons that the Conservative Party were able to win the 1951 election? (3)
- Conservative strengths.
- Labour weaknesses.
- The electoral system.
What were the strengths of the Conservatives that enabled them to win the 1951 election? (4)
- Young, dynamic politicians e.g. Reginald Maudling.
- Lord Woolton had reformed party finances.
- Attractive programme e.g. building 300,000 houses per year.
- Churchill served as a popular figurehead.
What were the Labour weaknesses that contributed to their loss in the 1951 election? (3)
- The party were associated with austerity and rationing.
- Divisions within the party over the appropriate level of socialism.
- Had taken Britain into the Korean War.
What role did Britain’s electoral system play in the Conservative victory of 1951? (3)
- Conservatives won many marginal seats whilst Labour piled up votes in safe seats (first past the post).
- Boundary changes meant that Labour had to win 2% more of the vote to win the same number of seats.
- The Liberal party went into decline and many voters turned to the Conservatives.
What was the change in average adult weekly wage across the period?
From £8.30 to £18.35.
What was the ‘feel-good’ factor experienced across the period?
On average, people had more disposable income as a result of increased wages and cuts to income tax, increasing their purchasing power and confidence in the government.
How did the Conservative Party use stop-go economic policy to their advantage before elections?
The party cut income tax by 2.5p in 1955 and 3.75p in 1959 to induce a ‘feel good’ factor.
What were the main ways by which people experienced an increase in their standard of living across the period? (3)
- A 500% increase in car ownership.
- Television ownership increased from 4% to 91%.
- An increase in the ownership of labour-saving white goods e.g. washing machines.
What triggered the consumer boom across the period?
An increase in the availability of credit.
